Australia wildfires: Hundreds of koalas being treated as animals spotted ‘curled up and shut down’ across fire-ravaged region
The IndependentFor free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Hundreds of koalas are being treated in a fire-ravaged region in Australia, an animal charity said, warning they are finding an increasing number the animals “curled up and shut down”. The Humane Society International, which has been rescuing animals affected during Australia’s worst wildfire season on record, said that they are now treating more than 200 koalas on Kangaroo Island. Wendy Higgins, a HSI spokesperson, said: “It is not normal to see so many on the ground relatively limp and lifeless.” Conservationists have warned of the devastating effect of Australia’s blazes on wildlife, with some warning entire species may have already gone extinct after blazes tore into their population and habitat. One animal charity worker recently said: “In some places you can’t walk 10 metres without coming across another carcass.” Around 25,000 koalas on Kangaroo Island – half of the original population – are believed to have died as a result of the blazes, according to World Wildlife Fund for Nature.